CRUISE ADVISER THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES
GREEK ODYSSEY
Jeannine Williamson joins Viking Sky in Rhodes
ADVENTURE ON THE DOURO
By Katherine Lawrey
SILVER MUSE: FIRST LOOK
By Gary Buchanan PLUS:
HOW TO SELL RIVER CRUISE ABTA ON BREXIT WOMEN IN CRUISE SPECIAL
MAY 2017
FIVE-STAR LUXURY RIVER CRUISES ON THE RHINE, DANUBE, MOSELLE, MAIN, RHÔNE, DOURO OR SEINE 8 DAYS FROM £999PP 15 DAYS FROM £1,899PP Riviera Travel are pleased to announce the release of our brand new all-suite ships for 2017, operating alongside our luxurious and elegant selection of five-star vessels including the MS Lord Byron, MS William Shakespeare, MS Jane Austen and MS Charles Dickens, all boasting superb cuisine and the most comfortable surroundings possible. We offer a choice of ten stunningly beautiful and fascinating cruises visiting some wonderful sights such as Cologne, Trier, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Basel, Lucerne, Douro Valley, Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Avignon, Arles, Bruges, Paris or Rouen. • • • • • • • •
The UK’s leading river cruise company Five-star quality at unbeatable prices Award winning service Three brand-new five-star all-suite ships launching in 2017 Honest pricing with no discounting - we don’t discount so you don’t have to! Highest repeat booking ratio in sector Online booking at www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents We hold options for 5 working days
Call our friendly Agency Sales team on: 01283 or visit: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents
744307
Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP. ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected. Prices are based on two people sharing a twin cabin. Additional entrance costs may apply. Prices correct as of 18.04.17. Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply.
May 2017 | Forward ED’S LETTER
Greece is the word – and we go with the flow CRUISE ADVISER
From thousands of idyllic islands to fascinating Athens, Greece GREEK is a destination ODYSSEY of enduring appeal to cruise customers. The perfect blend of culture, history and hot weather, it’s long been a favourite of British holidaymakers. It’s also a great place in which to explore Viking Cruises’ latest ship, Viking Sea, the third in its portfolio of Scandi-cool ocean-going vessels. Jeannine Williamson, who joined the line on its 14-night Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land itinerary, writes all about the beauty of the region and Viking’s incredible growth in her feature on p32. The elegant Silver Muse, Silversea’s new flagship, is a further ship to have joined the ocean market this spring, and Gary Buchanan, another roving CRUISE ADVISER THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES
MAY 2017
MAY 2017
Jeannine Williamson joins Viking Sky in Rhodes
ADVENTURE ON THE DOURO
By Katherine Lawrey
SILVER MUSE: FIRST LOOK
By Gary Buchanan PLUS:
HOW TO SELL RIVER CRUISE ABTA ON BREXIT
WOMEN IN CRUISE SPECIAL
CA-15
cruise adviser reporter, was on board to find out more (p14), plus there’s all our other cruise news starting on p7. This month, we speak to Chris Austin, Seabourn’s recently appointed senior vice president of sales and marketing, and take an in-depth look at river cruise as part of our regular How To Sell section. Here, we chat to Riviera Travel, one of river’s true success stories, take a look at some of river cruise’s great destinations, and explore the beautiful Douro valley in Portugal as Katherine Lawrey joins a CroisiEurope cruise from Porto. Elsewhere, you’ll find our unrivalled Directory section – the only place you can find contact details for every cruise line operating in the UK – plus there’s a great recipe from Crystal on p56. As ever, let us know your thoughts on this issue of Cruise Adviser, plus Like us on Facebook (facebook.com/ cruiseadviser) and follow us on Twitter (@cruiseadviser)
THIS MONTH WHAT WE LEARNT
P20
SINGAPORE HAS SOME VERY LARGE TREES The stunning Supertrees range from 25 to 50m high.
P27
WOMEN ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY 60 per cent of employees in the travel industry are female, but only a shocking 15.8 per cent are at boardroom level. P42
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THE DOURO VALLEY IS NAVIGABLE FOR ALMOST 200KM From Portuguese vineyards to ancient Spanish cities, it’s hardly surprising it’s becoming more popular.
May 2017| Forward
Porto, the gateway to the Douro, p42
Contents Midship 27
32
Women in cruise Sam Ballard reports on the gender inequality in travel and speaks to leading figures about what can be done Expect the unexpected Jeannine Williamson enjoys modern Scandinavian
hospitality among the delights of ancient Greece on a trip with Viking Cruises
40
Picture perfect cruise adviser’s top ten river cruise ports of call
How to sell: river cruise
42
38
Europe’s best-kept river cruise secret is out Katherine Lawrey joins CroisiEurope in Porto and sails the beautiful Douro
InFocus: Riviera We check in with the very British tour operator
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A PERSONAL TOUCH With less than 300 suites, Silver Muse is the epitome of Silversea excellence. A small, intimate ship with uncompromised levels of service, comfort, design and accommodation, she offers tailor-made experiences to last a lifetime.
OUTDOOR LIVING From tranquil niches and observation areas to an unprecedented spacious pool deck, outdoor lounges and three open-air restaurants, our tailor-made outdoor spaces have been conceived so that time spent aboard is most definitely, time well spent.
CULINARY EXCELLENCE Soak up the ambience and award-winning gastronomic pedigree of what is surely the most comprehensive dining experience at sea. Eight superb restaurants mean more choice than ever while our unrivalled culinary excellence raises the bar in offshore dining.
To discover more about Silver Muse’s exciting itineraries or to book, call 0207 340 0700 or visit Silvermuse.info.
Discover Silver Muse at silvermuse.info
May 2017 | Forward
FORWARD
3
Ed’s letter
7
News Viking Cruises expands further, CMV welcomes Columbus and Virgin Voyages commits to green travel
14
Silver Muse Gary Buchanan takes a trip on the ship that will be the benchmark for the luxury line’s entire fleet, and hears why it has been launched at the perfect time
16
Opinion Abta director of public affairs Alan Wardle on making a success for UK travel and tourism after the triggering of Article 50
20
Ports of call How Singapore became a hot spot for the cruise industry
23
Interview Sam Ballard talks to Seabourn’s Lynn Narraway and Chris Austin about the ultra-luxury brand’s expansion plans, with new ships and new destinations
AFT 46
47
Fam trips / incentives The best agent opportunities
48
Jargon buster What causes seasickness
49
Directory Got a query? Let us assist you
55
Competition/ games room Win a fam trip on Titan Travel’s Serenade 1, including flights and food
New crew The latest staff news
56
Recipe Learn how to cook Crystal’s delicious black cod with miso
57
On the road We speak to the people who make your job easier. This month: Saga’s cruise sales executive, Wayne Beard
58
Final word cruise adviser comment: Why river lines need to start targeting younger people
What are your thoughts on the new-look cruise adviser? Share them with us by emailing info@cruise-adviser.com
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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NEWS
May 2017 | Forward
Do you have a story for us? Email info@cruise-adviser.com
VIKING CRUISES
Viking orders two more ships – expanding ocean fleet to eight The luxury line has added extra ships to its existing order with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to meet the increase in demand they are experiencing in ocean cruises Viking Cruises is to add two more ships to its existing order book with Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri, taking its fleet of ocean ships to eight. The new vessels, which will follow the same design as the existing fleet, will be launched in 2021 and 2022. “Our guests and the industry have spoken, and they love the ocean ships that we have built with Fincantieri,” said Viking CEO Torstein Hagen. “We set out to bring the destination back to cruising, and the cruising public has responded. These additional ships are needed to meet the demand we are experiencing. Once only known for being the leading river
cruise line, we are now equally known for upscale, inclusive ocean cruise experiences. As we celebrate our 20th year of operation, we are pleased to continue innovating and to introduce even more guests to The Viking Way of exploration.” Each one of Viking’s ocean ships is able to accommodate 930 guests across 465 cabins. Viking launched the Star in 2015, the Sea in 2016 and the Star in 2017. Later this year it will launch the Sun, while the Spirit will be launched in 2018. The sixth ship will be launched in 2019. “The extraordinary moment of the cruise sector is continuing, and
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with this announcement Fincantieri reaffirms its worldwide leadership in the segment. The series – which began with the Viking Star prototype – reaches eight ships with these additional units, with the possibility to further grow thanks to the expansion plans of this dynamic cruise company,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “Viking decided to enter ocean cruise with Fincantieri as shipbuilder, achieving great success. We can but consider this agreement as a strategic and commercial success, which allows us to further strengthen our already excellent partnership.”
2018 river cruises now on sale
earn
more with Viking Cruises It pays to work with the best and that’s why agents love working with Viking. After all, what’s not to love? We pay great commission, offer you more support and give you more opportunities to experience our great river and ocean cruises for yourself. Add to that, fun competitions, fabulous prizes, regular HEI! magazines, dedicated e-shots, and an exclusive ‘madefortrade’ website and you’ve got the kind of working relationship money just can’t buy.
For business development opportunities call Jenny on 07966 995 012 or Andrew on 07825 986 996 For agency sales call Kelly on 0208 780 7968 @VikingTradeUK #madefortrade
madefortrade.co.uk
20 YEARS
OF EXPLORING
THE WORLD IN COMFORT
1997 - 2017
explore the Douro in Viking Comfort
A sip of rich, silky port in a valley carpeted with vineyards. The salty taste of freshly caught sardines. The sound of a haunting fado melody echoing through ancient walls. When you discover the delights of Portugal, it’s comforting to know that you’re travelling with the very best – and enjoying the very best value for money, with everything you need to enjoy yourself included in the price. Join us on one of our award-winning river cruise ships, and explore the Douro in comfort with us. Days 1-2 Lisbon Day 3 Coimbra and Porto Day 4 Porto Day 5 Régua and Pinhão Day 6 Douro River and Barca d’Alva Day 7 Salamanca and Vega de Terrón Day 8 Douro River and Pinhão Day 9 Régua and Porto Day 10 Porto
10-day Portugal’s River of Gold Prices from only £1,145pp CALL US NOW ON 020 8780 7985 Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to change. From prices are per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available on Portugal’s River of Gold, departing on selected dates in 2018. Prices valid until 30 June 2017. Single supplements apply. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.
May 2017 | Forward
CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES
CMV takes delivery of its new flagship
The former Pacific Pearl is now in Singapore and will be renamed and reflagged as Columbus Cruise & Maritime Voyages has taken delivery of its new flagship Columbus in Singapore. The vessel arrived at the Singapore Cruise Centre under its P&O Cruises Australia livery as Pacific Pearl at the end of its farewell voyage from Australia. It will transfer to the Sembcorp Marine shipyard to be renamed and reflagged as Columbus . Chris Coates, commercial director, said: “We are delighted to have taken delivery of this fine traditional cruise ship and look forward to commencing cruise operations under the CMV flag. This follows some refurbishment and lounge adaptation works before the official naming ceremony at London Tilbury on June 8, 2017.” Existing children’s areas and the teenage centre will be converted into the Columbus Observation Lounge, Trumps & Aces Card & Bridge Room, the ship’s library and a crafter’s studio. The existing casino is also being scaled down into a combined
Captain’s Club & Casino while the existing Captain’s Lounge will be transformed into the Taverner’s Pub. “Columbus will homeported at London Tilbury year-round, with a 31,000 passenger capacity programme,” said Coates. “It has attracted unprecedented interest with very strong bookings being recorded both during her debut season and further ahead to 2018.” The ship’s debut season also includes lunch and overnight trade showcase events on June 9 and 10 before its maiden season, which starts on June 11 with a three-night cruise to Amsterdam and Antwerp. Earlier this month, CMV announced it is to add a further seven UK sailings on board its 550-guest Astoria from Poole and Portsmouth. Coates said: “Our strategic focus is to continue broadening the range of regional programmes and sailings. We are delighted to add Poole and Portsmouth to our portfolio.”
COSMOS
Cosmos reveals rebrand with new website launch Cosmos Tours & Cruises has unveiled a new logo, website and strapline – ‘Adventures Made Easy’ – as it rebrands to its new name, Cosmos. The redesign comes after the tour operator won the rights to the name from Monarch Group. Giles Hawke, Cosmos CEO, said “This marks a new start for us as we use our name change as a platform for growth, development and a new approach to providing our agent partners and customers with the ultimate holiday experience. “In existence since 1961 and still family owned, our company has gone through a complete transition and we’re now in the perfect place to change the outmoded view of Cosmos and showcase the incredible range of holiday experiences we can offer our customers, as well as great ways of getting the very best value.” Cosmos.co.uk is now live.
AMAWATERWAYS
Ama celebrates 15th birthday with new ship AmaWaterways has welcomed AmaKristina, sister ship to AmaViola and AmaStella, to its fleet. The 158-guest vessel is named after AmaWaterways’ co-owner and executive vice president Kristin Karst, and comes as the company celebrates its 15th anniversary. The official christening ceremony – led by the vessel’s godmother, Karst – will take place on May 10 in Lahnstein. The ship features connecting cabins and triple occupancy staterooms that are tailored specifically to the growing family and group markets.
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May 2017 | Forward
SCENIC
Eclipse brochure released Ultra-luxury mega-yacht launches in 2018 Scenic has released the brochure for Scenic Eclipse, the ship it describes as the “world’s first discovery yacht”. The six-star ultra-luxury megayacht, which carries up to 228 guests launches in the Mediterranean on August 31, 2018. The ship, which has an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio, will feature 114 suites, each with a private veranda and lounge area. These range in size
from the 32 square metre veranda suites to the 247 square metre twobedroom penthouse suite. Scenic Founder and managing director, Glen Moroney, said: “We’re extremely proud to present the full range of experiences and onboard facilities that make Scenic Eclipse the world’s first discovery yacht. Over the last 12 months our team of experts have honed the concept to fine
VIRGIN VOYAGES
NORWEGIAN
Compressed air system to be used on new ships
Certified lifeguards for NCL onboard family pools
Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson’s soon-to-be-launched cruise line, has announced that it will employ an environmentally friendly compressed air system on the first of its three ships on order. A deal has been struck between international compressor supplier TMC Compressors and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The news comes after the company said it would employ a system that converts low-grade energy into clean electricity by using the diesel engine’s waste heat. Virgin Voyages’ first ship – which will carry 2,700 guests and be about 110,000GT – is due for delivery in 2020.
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it will begin employing certified lifeguards at all of the family pools across its fleet. The first responders will be trained and certified by the American Red Cross in lifesaving rescue measures and will monitor the family pools during scheduled pool hours. The lifeguards will begin service this summer on the line’s four largest ships – Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic – and on the remainder of the fleet by early 2018. “Norwegian has stationed pool monitors on our largest ships since 2015 and we are now taking further steps to ensure the safety of our
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tune each area to ensure our guests experience the ultimate in luxury and discovery with the utmost safety.” Its maiden voyage season includes the Americas; Antarctica and South Georgia; Europe and the Med; and the Arctic and Fjords. Cruises include return flights from a choice of up to 15 UK airports, as well as transfers, drinks, butler service and wi-fi.
youngest guests with the addition of certified lifeguards across our fleet,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “While parents are always the first line of supervision when it comes to water safety, we felt it was important to provide this added measure.”
es ic Pr om fr
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May 2017 | Forward
NEW SHIP
Silversea unveil their Silver Muse Gary Buchanan takes a trip on the ship that will be the benchmark for the luxury line’s entire fleet, and hears why it has been launched at the perfect time There’s a buzz in the luxury cruise sector this year as headline-grabbing vessels in both ocean and river cruise are introduced to an eager industry. The most notable new upscale ocean ships are Seabourn Encore and Silver Muse – each destined to push standards ever higher. Silversea Cruises took the opportunity to showcase their new 596-passenger flagship to an eager audience of trade and media representatives during two preinaugural voyages in early April. On board were executive chairman Manfredi Lefebvre, CEO Roberto Martinoli and Lisa McAuley, commercial director UK, and they were on hand to share their vision of this exciting new chapter in Silversea Cruises’ compelling contribution to deluxe cruise.
Silver Muse is the ninth ship in the Silversea fleet – it is also the largest and most luxurious. This was endorsed by CEO Martinoli who told Cruise Adviser: “Luxury cruising is currently enjoying double-digit growth, so Silver Muse is well-timed to accommodate customer demand. “Silver Muse is setting a new standard by introducing enhancements to the successful design guests enjoy on our fleet of classic ships,” Martinoli explained. “The revolutionary approach to dining is our real brainchild. By removing the notion of a large dining room we’ve been able to create eight dining venues offering 26 food concepts.” Silver Muse embodies understated luxury and is noticeably bling-free. The ship is all-suite and even the lead-in Classic Veranda Suites are
a generous 36 square metres and come with obliging butler. However it is the array of dining choices that is a hallmark of this new paragon. These range from the teppanyaki mastery at Kaiseki as well as La Dame by Relais & Châteaux (both have a $60 cover charge). In this culinary nexus on Deck 4 there’s also the larger Indochine and Atlantide. La Terrazza is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; and there’s Scappanapoli Pizzeria, Pool Grill and Hot Rocks Grill on deck. The delightful supper club – Silver Note – serves tapasstyle treats to accompany the entertainment. Another innovation that’s proving popular is the Arts Café, open from 6.30am until 11pm. It is all too easy to compare and contrast this new ship with Seabourn Encore which entered service three
May 2017 | Forward
months earlier. For agents with clients seeking a variety of unequalled dining and superb suites in lower grades then Silver Muse hits all the right notes. For clients looking for a range of treatments and therapies in a stunning spa, as well as a convivial array of chic bars and secluded niches on deck, then Seabourn Encore is probably the right choice. During the showcase aboard Silver Muse the highly-respected industry icon Manfredi Lefebvre explained how this new ship will be the template for a $175 million programme to upgrade the entire fleet where the same decor will be introduced in a programme of ‘Muse-ification’. In other revelations the executive chairman pointed out that the incorporation of an ice-class
hull on Silver Cloud, along with other enhancements, will result in the world’s most lavish expedition ship with a capacity for 250 guests when she is transferred to the Silversea Expeditions brand later this year. Lisa McAuley certainly appreciates the vital role of the travel trade, so much so she took time out from her hectic schedule to talk to Cruise Adviser during a ship’s tour. “The launch of Silver Muse is giving us strong traction with the trade and allows us to showcase what makes this new ship so special,” she told us. “Pricing will be a fair balance between offering and demand.” When asked about recognition and reward for the trade, the enthusiastic director pointed out: “We have tweaked our ‘Advocates’ incentive
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programme to recognise top sellers. Every month each regional sales manager nominates three individual agents whose sales are reviewed by the Advocates Committee, who then award ten prizes to agents who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. The year culminates with ten Advocates enjoying a Silversea fam trip.” On a final note of interest for the UK trade, McAuley pointed out that Silver Muse will be in Southampton for the first time on September 11. “This will be a great opportunity to showcase our flagship. One of my priorities is for as many members of the trade as possible to ‘feel the product’ – and to this end we have more ship visits and fam trips in the pipeline.”
May 2017 | Forward
OPINION
Departure times Abta director of public affairs Alan Wardle on making a success for UK travel and tourism after the triggering of Article 50 As the UK begins to extricate itself from the European Union, we want to work with the government to help them make Brexit a success. We believe the benefits that UK holidaymakers currently enjoy, such as visa-free travel and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be prioritised and protected. Travel and tourism is one of the UK’s largest industries and it is vital that the government makes sure it can continue to thrive during and after the negotiations. The UK travel and tourism industry plays a hugely important role in the UK economy, contributing around nine per cent of total economic activity. The outbound travel industry alone contributes £28.3 billion a year to the UK economy and the EU is our
main market for overseas travel, with 75 per cent of business and leisure trips taken there. The EU is also the main market for visitors to the UK. With this in mind, it is essential that the industry can continue to prosper post-Brexit and holidaymakers and business travellers can continue to travel freely and enjoy the important benefits currently open to them. The cruise sector has more than 25 million passengers a year globally and the UK is one of its biggest markets. We have seen the industry grow over the last decade and it is important this upward trajectory is maintained after Brexit. Following the triggering of Article 50, we have set out priorities for the Brexit negotiations in a new report, Making a Success of Brexit for Travel
and Tourism. We have identified five immediate priority areas and we are calling on the government to act quickly as it enters the negotiation process, to preserve vital rights and protections for travel businesses and UK travellers alike. Abta’s five priorities are: 1. Maintain our ability to travel freely within Europe and beyond 2. Keep visa-free travel between the UK and the EU 3. Protect valuable consumer rights 4. Give UK businesses operational stability 5. Seize opportunities for growth Safeguarding transport links, including air routes, is vital, as the EU is the UK’s biggest market for
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May 2017 | Forward
overseas holidays and a critical market for businesses. Unlike for other industries there are no World Trade Organisation rules for aviation to fall back on if we do not reach a deal with the EU. Any change in access to air travel would have a serious impact on the cruise market, especially to the Mediterranean. Abta consulted our cruise members about Brexit and the issues they were concerned about and one of the biggest was visa-free travel. Cruise companies and passengers have benefitted hugely from being able to travel freely across Europe. If additional passport checks or visa restrictions are created with Brexit, this will create additional pressures. In addition, if there is a hard border for freight at ports, this will have a knock-on effect on leisure traffic. The UK’s membership of the EU has given travellers many highly beneficial rights and protections, including access to free or reduced cost healthcare via EHIC, which was used over 215,000 times in 2015 by UK citizens. Continued access to the EHIC card is particularly important for many cruise passengers who,
because of their age, may be reliant on travel insurance policies that require use of an EHIC in order to access reduced premiums. Compensation for delayed and cancelled flights and the EU Package Travel Directive, which protects people on package holidays, are also valuable consumer rights, which Abta urges the government to protect. In addition to these priorities, we have also highlighted the importance to the industry of the UK’s membership of the EU Customs Union, and harmonised VAT arrangements. We recognise that each of these is inherently linked to a future UK-EU agreement, but we have issued a clear call for transitional arrangements, should the UK opt to leave without the settlement of a long-term trading agreement with our EU partners. We know from our cruise members that having as much certainty as possible at a time when so much is unclear is important. Cruises are on sale up to 18 months in advance. Given these long lead-in times, we are calling on the government to ensure that effective transitional agreements with the EU are in place if needed.
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This will enable businesses to plan and to sell holidays with confidence. At every opportunity in our discussions with politicians and other decision makers, Abta has outlined the important economic and employment contribution of the outbound travel industry to the UK. While there has naturally been much focus on the growth in domestic and inbound tourism, attributed by many to the fall in the value of the pound, Abta has spelled out the contrasting impact that currency fluctuations could have on outbound travel, both for holidaymakers and businesses alike. The fall of the pound against the dollar has been a particular issue for cruise companies. Outbound travel provides a boost of more than £11 billion each year to the UK economy, and our sector employs more than 214,000 people directly. As we get closer to the beginning of negotiations, triggered under Article 50, Abta will continue to engage regularly with members, and we will work hard to ensure the government is fully aware of the industry’s requirements as a new relationship with Europe begins to take shape.
May 2017 | Promotion
Introducing the world’s first true ultra-luxury river cruise experience Cruising with Crystal River Cruises is like no river cruise you’ve experienced before. With the stunning city of Vienna as the backdrop, Crystal Mozart was officially christened in July 2016 and became the newly-launched Crystal River Cruises’ first luxury river yacht. With Crystal River Cruises, the world’s best cruise line is delighted to introduce the world’s first luxury river cruise line, offering all the hallmarks of the all-inclusive Crystal Cruises experience – six-star service, worldclass dining and enriching excursions
– and an unrivalled new standard of all-inclusive luxury exploring the grand waterways of Europe. Crystal River Cruises brings you the largest suites and highest guests-tostaff ratio of any river vessel, a slower approach to river cruising with more overnights in port allowing plenty of time to explore, plus the outstanding six-star service that you have come to expect from Crystal Cruises. The 158-guest Crystal Mozart sails two distinct itineraries of 10 and 11 nights, each offering distinctive experiences designed to showcase
each destination and, for the first time on a Crystal voyage, most excursions will be complimentary. State-of-the-art technology also takes independent exploration to entirely new levels with complimentary Nordic Walking Poles, GPS Whisper Guides, electronically assisted bikes and more. Crystal Mozart offers spacious and stylish suites, public lounges and dining venues and boasts innovative entertainment spaces and adventurous amenities. Among the more exceptional touches on the refurbished river yacht is a pop-up bar area on the top Vista deck, complete with a vanishing movie screen for al fresco evening show times. Also on the Vista deck is a living rooftop garden area with teak bench seating areas for guests to enjoy nature as they sail along the Danube. Two custom excursion yachts are also available onboard for more intimate exploration of the waterways’ picturesque locations, plus the abundant outdoor space ensures that travellers don’t miss any of the magnificent views. The beautiful suites onboard all feature king-size beds, Nespresso machines, 40-inch flat-screen televisions and sparkling marble
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bathrooms. The Crystal Mozart has window suites of 219 square feet, deluxe suites with French Balcony of 219 square feet, penthouse suites of 330 square feet and two-bedroom Crystal Suites of 883 square feet, the largest suite on any river vessel afloat. One-bedroom Penthouses and the two-bedroom Crystal Suite feature French Balconies, walkin closets and separate showers and oversized bathtubs. Crystal’s acclaimed butler service is also available with every guest suite. Each suite offers Apple® iPad devices that serve as Digital Directories for almost all of our guests’ onboard needs, from dry cleaning and butler service, to room service and dining reservations, as well as concierge and Crystal Adventures enquiries and more. Bathrooms also feature highly advanced TOTO Washlet personal cleaning systems, which also offer heated seats, automatic open/close, aerated water and warm air dryer. Crystal Mozart also has live view cameras onboard – a river industry first – from three onboard vantage points. Travellers seeking a glimpse of the enchanting medieval villages, expansive landscapes and stunning cities on Crystal Mozart’s route along the Danube, can now select the Live Views option on Crystal’s newly redesigned homepage, and enjoy real time views of the ship’s position.
The ship’s four main decks offer numerous public areas for guests to enjoy onboard enrichment, fitness and wellness and world-class dining. Crystal Mozart offers guests an array of elegant and casual dining options throughout the day. Guests also have a unique opportunity to dine ashore one evening in one of seven Michelin star restaurants in either Budapest or Vienna on every Mozart sailing – and that’s included in the fare. Crystal Mozart also features fully-equipped fitness, spa and salon facilities at the Crystal Life Spa, marking the first time ever the spa on a Crystal ship will be operated and staffed by Crystal’s own trained crew. An indoor pool complements two
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treatment rooms and male and female sauna and steam rooms. And the story continues this year with two new all-suite vessels, Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler, debuting in August and September, offering voyages on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. A further two vessels, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, will be joining the fleet in 2018. On board the Crystal River Cruises fleet nothing is compromised, no detail is too small, no experience is too much. For further information, or to make your Crystal River Cruises booking, please call 020 7399 7604 or visit crystalcruises.co.uk
May 2017 | Forward
PORTS OF CALL
Singapore How the Garden City became a new cruise hot spot In January, Singapore played host to Seabourn Encore as the ship – one of the most luxurious ever built for the cruise market – was christened in the island city state. At the lavish event, Singapore’s minister of trade and industry, S Iswaran spoke of the “significant and growing role” that Carnival Corporation, of which Seabourn is a part, plays in the region’s cruise business. “Vast itinerary possibilities, excellent airlift and a favourable climate are all conducive to cruise flourishing here,” he said. And flourishing it is. The christening of Seabourn Encore sent out a very clear message: that, when it comes to cruise, Singapore is open for business. The country increasingly acts as an embarkation and disembarkation port for itineraries across Asia – its proximity to Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia making it the perfect start or end to a short holiday. It’s one of the reasons Royal Caribbean has significantly increased its presence in the region
since a new cruise terminal was opened in 2012: now, Mariner of the Seas offers three, four and five-night itineraries that call at the likes of Phuket, Thailand, or Penang, Malaysia, while Ovation of the Seas is homeporting there for a short season this year. For the 20172018 season, Royal Caribbean has scheduled a total of 72 round-trip itineraries – its largest ever. The Lion City, a regular call on world cruises, is also perfectly placed for longer cruises, be it a 12-night trip to Hong Kong via Malaysia on Silversea’s Silver Cloud or an 18-night voyage around the Middle East to Abu Dhabi on Oceania Cruises’ Insignia. Princess Cruises’ Emerald Princess also sails an epic, 31-night Southampton to Singapore cruise that takes in Rome and Dubai on the way. There’s a reason why it’s become such a popular port of call, and that’s not just down to its geographic position. Singapore is a fascinating place: it is one of just three city states in the world (Monaco and Vatican City being the other two), but feels unique.
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May 2017 | Forward In 1967 the government introduced the vision of making Singapore a ‘garden city’, and has since set aside 10 per cent of its land for parks and nature reserves – notably the iconic Supertree Grove. Described by Sir David Attenborough as “perhaps the most spectacular example of city greening”, these 18 man-made structures are between 25-50m tall and support vertical gardens connected by an aerial walkway. Given the push for green space, you may even mistake the Singapore Botanic Gardens, found at the fringe of the city’s main shopping belt, as a new addition. In fact, they have been there since 1859 and are one of only three gardens (and the only tropical garden) to be honoured as a Unesco World Heritage Site. But what makes these green spaces so remarkable is how they contrast with modern, urban buildings and colonial structures. The city is a melting pot of cultures, architectural styles and languages – now with a distinctly modern feel. The Marina Bay Sands, which has only been open since 2010, is already one of the world’s most recognisable hotel buildings. The three-tower complex of more than 2,500 rooms boasts an impressive SkyPark – and, in it, an observation deck with 360-degree views. You’ll also find what is billed as the world’s largest infinity pool.
This modern, forward-thinking city is also becoming known for its art scene, with the Museum of Contemporary Arts (Moca) – housed in a former colonial building, an army barracks that dates back to the 1860s – showcasing the very best in contemporary art from the region. As one of the most affluent countries in the world it has become known for its fine (see: extraordinarily expensive) dining, but Singapore is a place where sizzling, aromatic street food is superb and plentiful. The city’s history as a major trading port is told as much through its cuisine as its diverse
neighbourhoods: you can identify Malay, Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and even English and Portuguese influences in its dishes. No trip to the city, however, would be complete without a trip to Raffles, where the Singapore Sling (gin, pineapple juice, grenadine, lime and Dom Benedictine) was invented by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915. The Long Bar is closed until 2018, but the cocktail has found a temporary home at the hotel’s Bar & Billiard Room. Or try the Four Seasons’ Manhattan bar, an ode to 19th-century New York City, which is its equal.
THREE SINGAPORE CRUISES 16 days across Asia
Four nights to Malaysia
Seven days to Vietnam
Seabourn – Seabourn Encore Dubai-Sinapore, October 25, 2017 From £5,999pp
Royal Caribbean – Mariner of the Seas Singapore (round-trip), March 1, 2008 From £349pp
Princess Cruises – Sapphire Princess Singapore (round-trip), March 7, 2018 From £619pp
This incredible cruise on Seabourn’s exceptional new ship takes in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, India (Mumbai, Mangalore and Cochin) and Sri Lanka before arriving in Singapore.
This four-night mini-cruise, which starts and ends in Singapore, takes in Kuala Lumpa (Port Klang) and the pristine beaches of Langkawi in Malaysia. From just £349pp, this is an absolute bargain.
This seven-day round-trip cruise calls at Ko Samui, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam. Balcony rooms are available from a very reasonable £744pp. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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May 2017 | Forward
INTERVIEW
“Evolution not revolution…” Sam Ballard talks to Seabourn’s Lynn Narraway and Chris Austin about the ultra-luxury brand’s expansion plans, with new ships and new destinations Having just launched Seabourn Encore to great fanfare, Carnival’s ultra-luxury brand is going from strength to strength. With a return to Alaska on the horizon, a fifth ship to launch and a Mediterranean season coming up fast, we caught up with Lynn Narraway, the company’s UK managing director, and Chris Austin, the recently appointed senior vice president of sales and marketing, to discuss his move from luxury hotels and how travel agents who put in the time can reap the rewards. Cruise Adviser: How different is the luxury hotel sector compared to the luxury cruise sector? Chris Austin: It’s the same business, in the same industry. Cruise just delivers a far better experience than land-based resorts. Seabourn ships are essentially just ultra-luxury hotels
that traverse the oceans. We go to multiple destinations, while hotels are static. Seabourn Encore, our latest ship, was designed by Adam Tihany, who is one of the most renowned hotel designers in the world. What does Encore add to the Seabourn proposition? CA: We have the newest ultra-luxury fleet at sea. Encore keeps that focus and Ovation, which launches next year, solidifies that even further. Encore is slightly larger than our other ships, but that’s at the request of our guests. We have one additional deck, but it’s a very similar footprint. It still looks like the three other ships. Adam took to the brief, which is evolution not revolution. Lynn Narraway: We didn’t want inconsistencies within the fleet. There’s the extra space, which
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includes The Colonnade. There’s the Grill by Thomas Keller, which is a beautiful space, a sushi restaurant and the extra suites. Apart from that, you know you’re on a Seabourn ship. CA: With more ships we can offer guests and travel partners more iconic destinations. Some of our competitors are challenged about being in certain parts of the world at certain times of the year. With four ultra-luxury ships, five next year, we’ve got great coverage right around the world. Given the recent additions to global ultra-luxury fleets, is it more important than ever to publicise those differentiators? CA: Definitely. If we do, then our partners will find it easier to sell Seabourn. The best booking for us is matching the right person to the right brand. We want to help our trade
May 2017 | Forward
partners do exactly that and in turn earn incredible loyalty. LN: We’re far more interested in differentiating ourselves from ultraluxury hotels and resorts, not ultraluxury cruise lines. That would be a big bit of advice for travel partners. How do travel agents turn people on to ultra-luxury cruising? CA: The important thing is to ask the right questions. It’s about knowing what your luxury client wants from their holiday and aligning that with what Seabourn’s proposition is. Then you can tell them about all of the extras that they get on top of that. LN: A travel professional has to have the confidence to present the opportunity to affluent, land-based holidaymakers who have never tried a cruise before. We have to make sure that we’re telling our story appropriately and in a way that elicits an emotive response from the travel partner. What would your advice be for those who are yet to start selling Seabourn? LN: Our Seabourn Academy has everything they will need, including modules on how to get into luxury
travel and the skills needed to sell to groups. That’s certainly one way to start in the industry. CA: Travel partners need to be lifestyle planners for their clients. They need to know when that 50th wedding anniversary is, or that special birthday. Don’t think that just because people don’t take an ultraluxury holiday every year that they won’t take one for a special occasion. LN: We call our partners ‘travel professionals’ or ‘travel advisers’ because they offer so much. They have to have a massive amount of knowledge about our brand. That’s what the luxury traveller expects of their travel adviser. They need to know if they are working wealthy or retired wealthy. As soon as our 2018/19 programme comes out they need to be on the phone and telling them about new itineraries that they’re desperate to try. CA: Take advantage of our sales and marketing support. These people are an extension of our brand and we want to make sure we have the right tools to help them succeed. Why are you going back to Alaska for the first time in 15 years? CA: We feel that there is a tremendous opportunity for a small,
ultra-luxury ship in Alaska with the itineraries that we have very carefully curated. We will have access to certain fjords along the route that none of the big ships can get into and, on top of that, we will have our Ventures programme. How will you be able to compete with some of your sister brands, such as Holland America who are celebrating 70 years in Alaska? LN: It’s about enhancing the experience. So, we’ll be going to the Denali, but we’ll go via helicopter or private jet. The experience is going to be totally different. With our sister brands we have Park Rangers coming on and giving talks. With Seabourn, guests will be able to board a kayak from the marina deck. How is Encore’s Mediterranean season selling? LN: It’s selling quickly. It’s gone down very well with our British guests, some of whom are among our most loyal. One passenger has more than 3,000 sea days, which is 8.21 years. Another British lady has done 2,000 sea days. They have that loyalty because we know them so well; coming on board is a welcome home. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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THREE SEABOURN CRUISES 11 days in Alaska
Seabourn Sojourn Vancouver-Seward, July 21, 2017 From £5,299pp An amazing cruise from Canada through the beautiful wilderness of Alaska - the first time the line has sailed there for 15 years. The 11 day voyage takes in such delights as the Behm Narrows, Sumner Strait and Glacier Bay.
24 days in western Europe
Seabourn Ovation Barcelona-IJmuiden (Amsterdam), May 16, 2018 From £11,999pp An incredible chance to experience the brand new Ovation on one of its very first voyages. Over 24 days it takes in Gibraltar, Morocco, Spain, France, the Scilly Isles, Devon and Belgium.
21 days to Antarctica
Seabourn Quest Buenos Aires-Valparaiso (Santiago), November 29, 2017 From £9,999pp Three weeks at the bottom of the world, via the Falkland Islands to Antarctica – including Zodiac landings – then returning to Santiago via the Chilean fjords and the Strait of Magellan. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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COMING SOON
Jeannine Williamson joins Uniworld Boutique River Cruises on the beautiful Joie de Vivre in Paris. Read her feature in the next Cruise Adviser, coming June 1.
REPORT
Women in travel Sam Ballard reports on gender inequality in the travel industry and asks some leading figures what can be done to address the boardroom imbalance
May 2017 | Midship
60%
of staff within travel are women
YET ONLY...
15.8%
of all board members are women
IN 2015
23.5%
of FTSE 100 company boards were women
The travel industry must be one of the most outward looking sectors in the world. What could be more inclusive than a community of people who all share a natural inclination to sample other cultures, taste other cuisines and learn more about the world in general? Or, so you would think. According to research by the Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE), while 50 per cent to 78 per cent of employees in the travel industry are women, the
29%
of cruise sector boards were women
20%
of tour operator boards were women
numbers are reversed when it comes to board level executives. In the cruise industry 29 per cent of board members are women. With tour operators, it is just 20 per cent. For FTSE 100 companies, 23.5 per cent of boards are made up of women. There are numerous stories to tell here. One is that, while things are going in the right direction, they clearly aren’t anywhere near where they ought to be. Regardless of whether we’re talking about the 29 per cent for the cruise industry
or the 20 per cent for tour operators. There is clearly a discrepancy between both entry and mid-level management and the number of women progressing to senior levels in the same kind of numbers as their male counterparts. “Sexism in travel does still exist, but things have changed for the better,” explains Debbee Dale, the outgoing chairwoman of the AWTE. “In the last five years we have been seen as more professional in our own right. We have some phenomenal
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May 2017 | Midship
DIVERSITY BETWEEN SECTORS Comparison of average gender diversity between industry sectors [%] Cruise Sector
Tour Operators
Cruise Sector
Tour Operators
100% 90%
10%
15%
29%
80%
20%
70% 60% 50% 40%
90%
85%
71%
80%
30% 20% 10% 0%
2005
2005 MEN
senior women in the travel industry and they’re not just being labelled as women any more. They are incredible business leaders.” The AWTE, which now has 331 members, was started 63 years ago after some industry women were turned away from an event at a members’ club tdidn’t admit women. They have since gone from strength to strength and are now expanding into Ireland and beyond. “We don’t think that there is a glass ceiling in travel – the only one
2015
2015
WOMEN
that exists is the one created by the individual,” Dale adds. “From our point of view a lot of it comes down to confidence – a woman will look at a job spec and say that she can’t do two of ten bullet points listed and therefore won’t apply. It’s about building that confidence up.” For many women who are now heading up their own company, the industry is a very different place to what it once was. “Things have changed and are changing, but we have a long way
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to go,” Kathryn Beadle, managing director of Uniworld, says. “When I first got into management there were very few women around. The atmosphere in boardrooms was completely different.” For more women to succeed in the industry, Beadle says, society needs to change the way it views issues such as maternity and paternity leave. “Senior management isn’t as much of an issue – because of the money and stability that comes with it – but
May 2017 | Midship for entry and middle management more needs to be done, both by companies and families,” she says. “Companies must be far more collaborative. We have people who are away on maternity leave now, but we keep them as involved as they want to be. Don’t freeze them out. People at home need to be there, too. They can’t fear losing their jobs.” For Beadle, the UK should adopt a system like that already in place in Scandinavia where the pressure on fathers to take paternity leave is far higher – thus relieving pressure on women who feel like they have to choose between family or career. Shared Parental Leave was introduced to the UK in April 2015; however, just fraction of men opt in to the scheme. “It’s a cultural thing that needs to shift,” Beadle adds. “We should adopt systems like those in Scandinavia. I’m also in favour of gender quotas on company boards, which is something Norway introduced, too. I would say 40 per cent of boards should be filled by women. Not forever, but at least to get that representation up.” Lynn Narraway, the managing director of Holland America and Seabourn, believes that creating a representative board can only be a good thing for a business. “Companies need balance,” she says. “Whether you’re white or black, female or male, gay or straight. Company boards must represent customer bases and wider society. There should be at least one woman on every company board – but it has to be the right person. Don’t just take someone because they’re female – they have to be able to do the job as well.” Narraway, who personally mentors a number of women, has also given lectures at the University of Surrey as well as other local colleges and universities. “It’s great to be able to give back,” she explains. “I gave a talk at the City of London School for Girls and spoke to students about the possibilities that exist within the travel industry. It’s about education – you can be a
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May 2017 | Midship lawyer, you can be in HR – there are so many opportunities that exist, so we must also focus on recruiting the best.” The point is something that Jo Rzymowska, managing director of Celebrity Cruises, also backs. “In a corporate world, I think we have a long way to go on equality,” she says. “The longer I continue in my career, and the more senior I become, I realise that everything comes down to confidence. “I’m not a fan of anyone getting a job linked to a quota. However, unless there is concerted effort to make a change then it’s not going to happen. I am turning towards positive discrimination. That’s not just for women but also for race, LGBT, disability – all minority walks of life. “In this building [RCCL offices in Weybridge] we’re pretty much all white. In the travel industry we’re pretty much all white. The LGBT activity that we’re doing is pretty much all white. We have a real issue – as an industry we are trying to get people to go out and explore other cultures. “I’m not saying that we discriminate in any way but what are we doing proactively?” The answer, Rzymowska says, is the company’s first diversity and inclusion team. Backed by chairman Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruises has taken on people whose sole job is to look at diversity and inclusion, from recruitment through to employment and benefits policies. “I’m going to be championing the programme here,” Rzymowska adds. “I’ve always felt great as a woman and LGBT working for this company. Now we need to see what we can do, as a great employer “I think this is going to make a big difference. This isn’t about quotas. It’s about questioning ourselves.”
LGBT
61%
Got an opinion? Get in touch and share your thoughts by emailing info@cruise-adviser.com
of LGBT people do not “come out” for their first job
*Statistics provided by the Association of Women Travel Executives.
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GREECE
Expect the unexpected Jeannine Williamson enjoys modern Scandinavian hospitality among the delights of ancient Greece on a trip with Viking Cruises – and hears all about the line’s exciting expansion plans
May 2017 | Midship It’s 8am and, wearing just a swimsuit and flip flops, I push open the wooden door and step onto a crunchy layer of fresh snow, catching my breath in the frosty air. Afterwards I warm up in a bubbling hot tub before going for another snowy stroll – finding a tiny snowman built by another early morning walker. The whole thing wouldn’t seem quite so incongruous if I was in Scandinavia. However, outside the warm spring sunshine is reflecting on the glistening water where the Aegean meets the Med and rising over the 14th century walls surrounding Rhodes, capital of the Greek Dodecanese islands. However, I quickly found that with Viking even seasoned cruisers should be prepared for the unexpected; from the snow grotto in the spa to the private sauna in the flat-sized 135 square metre Owner’s Suite. Sailing at the start of Viking Sky’s maiden season provided plenty of opportunity to learn how this Scandicool line – charting a course to become the largest small ship ocean cruise line by 2019 – offers passengers a very different experience. Viking’s third ocean ship, being christened on June 22 in Tromso, is a near identical sibling to Viking Star and Sea launched in 2015 and 2016 respectively. This November Viking Sun joins the fleet, with Viking Spirit debuting in 2018 and three more vessels launching between 2019 and 2022. The original Vikings were famous for ground-breaking voyages, sailing huge distances from their Scandinavian homeland to raid and plunder. More recently, Torstein Hagen conquered the river cruise market after founding Viking 20 years ago and growing it into the world’s largest river cruise fleet, twice breaking Guinness World Records for the largest number of riverboats christened on the same day, and effectively putting river cruise on the map for other lines. With Viking’s foray into the ocean world he has steered a determined course and bucked the trend for all-singing, alldancing seagoing giants. Carrying 930 passengers in seafacing staterooms, that come in five easy to comprehend categories rather
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A former newspaper journalist, Jeannine is now an awardwinning travel writer and cruise specialist contributing to trade and consumer magazines, newspapers and websites. Her worldwide travels range from paddling a canoe along the Mississippi to sailing on the world’s largest ships.
FIVE REASONS TO SELL VIKING OCEAN CRUISES
1
Large number of inclusions
2
All-veranda ships with no inside cabins
3
Adult-only cruises
4
Longer time in port for full cultural experience
5
Choice of speciality dining venues with no extra charge
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May 2017 | Midship
ING SELL
TIP
mend recom d ouch suites an e -t e x a lu For a se Verand e a welcom ar u d b o Penth hich inclu and mini,w ks ne above Champag holic drin o f o lc bottle soft and a ed daily with eplenish r
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than a bewildering number, we soon found our way around the nine-deck ship which provides a feeling of déjà vu for anyone familiar with the Viking Longships. Stylish, understated design is a feature throughout, and the beautiful public areas are filled with books, stunning artwork plus a live mural of ever-changing images dominating the staircase in the atrium. That said, it takes a few days to discover some of the fun, idiosyncratic details such as cheeky Norwegian trolls peeking out as you go up and down in the lift, the Norse god Odin’s pair of black ravens keeping a watchful eye over things in the airy wintergarden shaded by contemporary ‘trees’, a fun animated version of the Bayeux Tapestry and a floating museum of artefacts, including a meteorite, that evoke the Viking spirit of discovery. What the ship lacks actually adds up to a number of key selling points for clients looking for a sophisticated cruise with like-minded travellers. There’s no waterpark, casino, loud music, sail away parties or constant announcements on the adult-only vessel. Some of my favourite moments were sitting on the wraparound promenade deck, or on my balcony, enjoying the views as Viking Sky slipped silently in and out of port. We joined the 14-night Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land itinerary from Rome to Athens, with nine included tours to fascinating and diverse destinations such as Heraklion, Jerusalem, Limassol and Crete. Viking’s culture-rich experience has just been enhanced even further with the recent introduction of Viking Resident Historians; expert onboard lecturers who also host round-table discussions, themed dinners and hold daily ‘office hours’ for one-to-one time. Hagen has essentially put the best parts of river cruise on an ocean ship, including free wi-fi, wine with lunch and dinner and an included shore excursion in almost every port. There is also more time in destinations, often late into the evening or overnight, allowing for one or two excursions or the chance to explore under your own steam, stopping to find a bar or restaurant in between sightseeing.
In Rhodes, Sky moored next to the bustling Unesco-listed historic quarter, which is Europe’s largest inhabited medieval city and a testament to the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem who conquered the island in medieval times, bringing great wealth from the Holy Land. Entering the walled old town I strolled up the steep, cobbled Street of the Knights leading to the Grand Master’s Palace, now an impressive museum. Afterwards I sat in one of the many street cafes with cup of strong coffee and a honey drenched baklava, a popular Greek treat. Back on the ship the food was equally delicious, with a range of dining options all included in the fare. There’s the main dining room, The Restaurant, with plenty of tables for two, the expansive World Cafe buffet with a novel open kitchen, casual Aquavit Terrace, cosy Mamsen’s serving Norwegian-style food and
barbecue by the main pool which has a retractable roof. Alternative dinner venues are the Chef’s Table, with eight rotating tasting menus that change every three days, and the outstanding Manfredi’s serving imaginative Italian dishes, including steaks that the carnivores in our group declared the best they’d ever had. When it’s time to relax the infinity pool at the back of the ship provides a dip with a view. The vessel also stands out with its Nordic-themed spa with a succinct menu of treatments. Adding to the bliss is the complete lack of hard sell to buy products. Onboard during our trip was Wendy Atkin-Smith, MD at Viking Cruises UK, and head of sales Neil Barclay, who provided further insight into the company’s ongoing growth and support for agents. In common with its historic Viking counterparts, it’s constantly
expanding its horizons. While other lines have been slow to return to Egypt, a destination that has suffered due instability, Viking has bought a 48-passenger Nile ship that will be revamped in its trademark Scandinavian style with cruises starting in spring 2018. “We know from our passengers that people still want to go there and others are looking for something new,” explained Atkin-Smith. “There has always been a lot of interest in Egypt and the Nile is a classic river cruise destination. We are also going back to the Ukraine.” The debut of Viking Sun will herald Viking’s first-ever world cruise, a 141day journey through five continents, 35 countries and 66 ports, which is also noteworthy for its break with tradition. “We are not selling it in segments, which is very unusual for a world cruise, and passengers will sail on the
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SELLING
whole itinerary,” added Atkin-Smith. As a testimony to this philosophy, sales for the cruise departing December 2017 have been very strong, with only Deluxe Veranda cabins still available at the time of going to press. A total of 13 new itineraries will be rolled out in 2017, 2018 and 2019, including a 14-night Miami round-trip to Panama and Central America, 14-night Australia and New Zealand itinerary and 10-night Alaska sailing. Barclay said: “We have invested heavily in the trade with our new Made for Trade website and quarterly magazine Hei!. We have two people permanently on the road, in the north and south, and now have a dedicated team working on oceans to help agents. It is very easy for agents who are used to selling our river product to sell our ocean product as it is such a comparable experience with similar features and inclusions such as all outside cabins, complimentary drinks with meals, free excursions and wi-fi.” The final word goes to Atkin-Smith, who said: “We have got the river product very well covered, where people will see further expansion is on the ocean side. Keep an eye out!”
TIP
Point ou – often a t that gratuities thorny su bject passenge rs – are in for UK cl in the fare uded
Viking Ocean Cruises’ itineraries range from seven nights (prices from £1,790pp) to a world cruise. For more information see directory, p49.
THREE VIKING CRUISES 11 days in Eastern Europe
15 days in Western Europe
21 days to India
Viking Longship Lif Bucharest-Budapest, October 25 From £2,995pp
Viking Star Bergen-Barcelona, September 23, 2017 From £4,290pp
Viking Spirit Athens-Mumbai, August 19, 2017 From £7,235pp
Incredible tour of Eastern Europe, including hotel stays in the Romanian and Hungarian capitals, a visit to a Unesco World Heritage Site and a Culture Curriculum that includes local folklore and the myth of Dracula.
Fascinating 15-day cruise, bookended by overnight stays in Bergen and Barcelona and taking in seven countries and 10 cities, including Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Porto, Málaga and the Roman ruins of Cartagena.
Trace the routes of the earliest merchants from Greece to India, with accompanied trips to the ancient treasures of Israel and Egypt. Includes overnight stays in Athens, Haifa and Mumbai.
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May 2017 | Midship
INFOCUS
HOW TO SE LL
R IV E R
Riviera Travel Sam Ballard meets Joseph Grimley, head of agency sales at Riviera, which has grown to be the biggest river cruise company in the country in just a few years “I’ve just celebrated my fifth year at Riviera Travel,” explains Joseph Grimley, the company’s head of agency sales. “We’ve come a long way with the trade since it was just me, my BlackBerry, car, desk and laptop. In fact, I’ve just recruited my fifth team member – Tamzin Bishop – and sales through agents are continuing at a rate of knots. “The agency sales team are a fantastic and diverse group who share a passion for our products and complement one another really well.” Founded in Burton-on-Trent in 1984 by Michael Wright, the rise of the escorted touring specialist has been nothing short of meteoric. The company didn’t even get into the cruise
industry until 2009 and only started selling through the trade in 2012. It is now both the biggest escorted tour operator and biggest river cruise company in the country. Grimley’s role has expanded massively. The company, which started off by advertising in newspapers, saw its 2017 travel agent sales increase by 60 per cent year-on-year. There are various factors behind Riviera’s success. For one, the company has maintained an air of Britishness, which it takes pretty seriously. It even flies in bags of PG Tips to each of its 12 vessels. However, for the increasing number of people who are taking a Riviera Travel cruise, it is like an industry secret. Prices are noticeably
lower than other ships of the same grade (Riviera says all but one of its ships are five star) because the company strips back its offering, allowing guests to personalise their holiday to suit their own taste. Gratuities are not included and neither is alcohol with dinner. In reality these extras are paid for when they’re included anyway, Riviera argue, and when it comes to alcohol the guests who only have one glass of wine per day with their meal subsidise the bar bill of the heavy drinkers. An interesting turn is that Riviera is now offering pre-bookable drinks packages on board its river itineraries, something it’s never done before and is sure to be popular with those who do like a more inclusive offering.
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May 2017 | Midship The company’s recently launched 2018 Cruise Collection brochure – which it produced exclusively for agents – is the first time it has published its ocean and river product together. Those itineraries include sailings on the transatlantic liner Queen Mary 2 and Royal Clipper, the tall sailing ship. It is available to order through Trade Gate. New offerings on its river fleet – with new ship for 2018 MS Robert Burns – include a 14-day Budapest to Black Sea itinerary and a Christmas Markets cruise in December. For Grimley, however, the success of Riviera’s increased offering comes from the effort his team puts into engaging with agency partners and investing in the trade. “We will be taking agents out to Cologne to experience the Emily Brontë in June, and also hosting agents onboard the Emily Bronte at the Clia River Cruise convention in Amsterdam in November,” he says. “The feedback we get from travel agents is phenomenal and customers are coming back to us time and time again. In February 2017, we were the only river cruise company to be awarded the prestigious Which? Recommended Provider status. “It all goes to show how far we’ve come in five short years.”
THREE RIVIERA CRUISES 14 days to New York and Niagara
15 days on the Danube
Eight days on the Rhine
Queen Mary 2 Southampton-Toronto, October 13, 2017 From £1,999pp
MS Thomas Hardy Budapest (round-trip), September 30, 2017 From £2,659pp
MS Jane Austen Cologne (round-trip), October 26, 2017 From £1,478pp
This cruise crosses the Atlantic from Southampton and includes three nights and a sightseeing tour in New York City, and takes in Niagara Falls – with a stay in a Falls view room – and Toronto, before the return flight home.
This incredible cruise takes you beyond the former Iron Curtain to see the delights of Eastern Europe – from Budapest through Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania to the Black Sea.
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This relaxed cruise along the Rhine starts and finishes in Cologne, with its breathtaking cathedral, and takes in the spectacular Rhine Gorge, a guided tour of historic Strasbourg and the stunning castle at Boppard.
May 2017 | Midship
PICTURE PERFECT
Getting you closer to the action A selection of the incredible sights easily accessible from river cruises around the world 1
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One of the great joys of river cruise is how close you can get to the action. Docking in Budapest means just that – you’re minutes away from the city’s most iconic monuments: the Chain Bridge, the magnificent parliament or the elevated Buda Castle. Transfers do exist – if you want to see Angkor
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Wat from Siem Reap, for example, or Agra from New Dehli – but, particularly in Europe, river cruise ships mostly dock in the heart of the city, making it the perfect holiday for those who want to explore. Here, we’ve picked some of our favourite stops on rivers around the world.
1. Amsterdam. There’s a reason Clia holds its annual River Conference in the Dutch capital: it’s the undisputed home of river cruise – a fascinating city that reveals more of itself with each visit. 2. Bagan. This incredible region of Myanmar (formerly Burma) is the site of 2,200 Buddhist temples; it’s the Irrawaddy’s greatest treasure. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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May 2017 | Midship
HOW TO SE LL
RIVER
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3. Oak Alley. This historic plantation, with its oak-lined path, is found on the west bank of the Mississippi in Louisiana. 4. Vienna. Immaculate architecture, café culture and, of course, classical music make the Austrian capital a joy. 5. Budapest. One of Europe’s grandest cities, the Hungarian capital is always the highlight of any cruise along the Danube.
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6. Kizhi Island. Found on Lake Onega in Russia, the island’s wooden churches – built in the 1700s, somehow without using nails – have to be seen to be believed. 7. Paris. The Seine runs right through the heart of the French capital, perhaps the world’s most beautiful city. Most ships will dock at the city’s Quai de Grenelle. 8. Porto. The gateway to the Douro,
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Portugal’s colourful second city is one of Europe’s best to take in from the river. 9. The Three Gorges. The Yangtze’s show-stopper, this 120-mile stretch (where cruises stop) makes up the Chinese river’s most dramatic scenery. 10. Bordeaux. Rivalling Paris for beauty, this city on the Garonne River is one of France’s most dynamic.
May 2017 | Midship
DOURO
Europe’s best-kept river cruise secret is out
HOW TO SE LL
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Katherine Lawrey takes a trip through Portugal’s beautiful Douro valley on the quiet river that is making more and more noise in the UK market
Each year, the Douro in Portugal, one of the quietest rivers in Europe, is making more and more noise in the UK market, with capacity on the increase. Viking River Cruises now has three vessels on the Douro and CroisiEurope added a fifth ship (Miguel Torga) this April. Scenic introduced the Douro last year and it’s new for Emerald Waterways and Riviera Travel this year. Other operators include Uniworld, AmaWaterways and Saga. The Douro is navigable for about 200km from where it flows into the Atlantic, across northern Portugal to the Spanish border. Most river cruises start in Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, which
is well-served by regional flights from the UK. It’s where I joined the 132-passenger Miguel Torga, the newest member of CroisiEurope’s Douro fleet. It’s a modern, contemporary ship, with a sizeable pool on the sun deck. Rooms were a little tight for space, but beds facing out the French windows made the most of the Douro’s enchanting views. CroisiEurope is a French-owned, family-run company, but it attracts an international audience, and it complements the French onboard cuisine with regional specialities and entertainment, depending on where the ship is sailing. I could’ve drunk local port morning, noon and night, thanks to the ship’s all-inclusive
drinks policy. After dinner we were treated to traditional Portuguese folk music and dancing. Porto, of course, is best known for the production of port wines, with a cluster of cellars located on the south bank, in the area officially known as Vila Nova de Gaia. It’s an incredibly photogenic city, with historic architecture tumbling down steep hillsides and iron bridges spanning the river where the original wooden barges that were used to transport the wine to the cellars are still moored as relics on the water. Once we left Porto, the landscape became almost entirely rural, with a patchwork of vineyards decorating steep slopes where homesteads
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May 2017 | Midship command enviable views. I saw no commercial traffic on the Douro, only tourist boats, and there are relatively few of those, compared with the Rhine, for example. It’s also forbidden to cruise the Douro at night (apart from in Porto) so you have have the advantage of seeing every bit of scenery in the daylight. The river used to be more treacherous, but has now been tamed by a series of five locks. At 12 metres wide, they only just accommodated Miguel Torga, an average-sized river cruise ship, with inches to spare either side. For the lowest bridges, top decks have to be completely cleared of people and certain features collapsed to allow ships to pass underneath. Miguel Torga’s swimming pool can be hydraulically lowered. A typical itinerary pattern is a morning spent scenic cruising and then an excursion in the afternoon, or vice versa, until you get to Salamanca. This beautiful Spanish city is a twohour coach drive from the berthing point, and cruise operators make it a full-day excursion. With two cathedrals, narrow streets, medieval squares, Spain’s oldest university and traditional shops and cafes, it is a magical place to explore. Other excursions uncover hidden treasures of rural Portugal, such as the castle and medieval village of Castelo Rodrigo and the picturesque town of Lamego and its Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. I also encountered one very familiar sight – all operators visit Mateus Palace, which has graced the label of bottles of Mateus Rosé for years. The wine is not actually made on site, but there are opportunities taste the wine for which the region is famed. Saga’s Douro Discovery visits Quinta do Seixo; Riviera Travel’s Douro; Oporto & Salamanca itinerary includes dinner at Quinta da Pacheca and Viking’s Portugal’s River of Gold lunches at Quinta da Avessada. Round-trip cruises tend to last for six to eight days, taking in the sights at a leisurely pace. Clients may be interested in making it a longer trip to see more of the Iberian Peninsula – Viking offer a 10-day itinerary that CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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THREE DOURO SAILINGS Eight days with CroisiEurope
MS Miguel Tora Porto (round-trip), August 10, 2017 From £1,268pp A leisurely cruise from Porto to the Spanish border, including excursions to the Unesco World Heritage site at Guimarães, the stunning city of Salamanca and its cathedral and the beautiful gardens of Mateus Palace.
11 nights with Emerald
Emerald Radiance Lisbon (round-trip), July 8, 2017 From £3,070pp As well as discovering the delights of the Douro with a sailing from Porto to the Spanish city of Salamanca, this popular cruise from Emerald also includes four nights in the lively Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
10 days with Viking River Cruises
includes a hotel stay in Lisbon and Uniworld has an extended 13-day itinerary which book-ends a river cruise with both Madrid and Lisbon. For something a little different, look out for Saga’s Jazz on the Douro cruise, which includes five live jazz performances. Saga also has a Douro Discovery tour that’s aimed at solo travellers. AmaWaterways offers a wine-themed Enticing Douro cruise, which includes a wine expert to lead tastings and discussions.
For those who want to experience a bit of history, the 30-passenger Spirit of Chartwell is now based on the Douro. The hotel barge carried the Royal family during the Diamond Jubilee river pageant before being sold to Douro Azul. Bookable through Titan Travel, guests are assured a “cruise experience worthy of its royal heritage”. The Douro is an area where time has seemingly stood still. However you do it, it’s not to be missed.
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Viking Torgil Lisbon-Porto, November 28, 2017 From £3,195pp In addition to an eight-day cruise taking in five Unesco World Heritage sites, Viking’s Douro offering includes return travel from the UK, two nights in Lisbon’s superior Hotel Tivoli Lisboa and eight guided tours.
Founded in 2014, cruise adviser brings together the most insightful commentary, news and analysis for those looking to sell cruise holidays Published ten times a year, cruise adviser is aimed at front-line travel agents and other sellers of cruises
You can find us at cruise-adviser.com (compatible with smartphone and tablet), on Twitter (@cruiseadviser) and Facebook Sign up for our monthly update for the chance to win prizes when selling cruises by emailing info@cruise-adviser.com
May 2017| Aft
NEW CREW
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines hires new head of sales
Celebrity Cruises appoints UK and Ireland trainer Celebrity Cruises has expanded its agent training team with the appointment of Emma Rigby to the newly created role of UK and Ireland trainer. Rigby has worked for Celebrity Cruises since 2014 as part of the ship-based guest relations team, including working on board Celebrity Eclipse. Claire Stirrup, director of sales, said: “Emma brings the most incredible ship knowledge and expertise.”
Insurance firm AllClear strengthens trade focus
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has appointed Mike Evans as its new head of sales. Evans has been promoted from his previous role as sales manager – independent retail, and will be responsible for managing Fred Olsen’s UK sales teams, as well as further developing relations with the travel trade. He said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on this role
at a time when we, as a business, are looking to engage with the travel trade even more than we have done in the past few years.” Justin Stanton, sales and marketing director, said: “With his broad industry experience, extensive knowledge of Fred Olsen’s unique style of cruising, and excellent reputation with our travel industry partners, Mike was the obvious choice for this key position.”
Andrea Norris has been appointed head of business development insurance company AllClear. Norris, who was at Affordable Car Hire and spent 21 years at Holiday Extras, has been hired to strengthen the company’s relationship with the trade, especially cruise agents. Chief executive, Chris Wacey, said: “Andrea’s reputation, wealth of experience and expertise put her in an excellent position to help drive business within certain key sectors, notably cruise.”
Scenic names Colin Downing as UK general manager as Chris Townson departs Colin Downing has been appointed UK general manager at Scenic. Managing director Chris Townson has the cruise line with immediate effect. Anna Wolfsteiner, senior vicepresident for international sales and distribution, said: “Colin is a very experienced manager, who has recently been working for us on a number of group projects and I am pleased to announce his appointment to head up the UK team.” Downing added: “As one of the
world’s leading tour and river cruise companies Scenic and Emerald Waterways are a very exciting business and one I’m proud to be part of. We have some great people in the team alongside best in class products.” Downing has more than 35 years’ experience. He has worked for brands such as Riviera Travel, The Late Rooms Group, Merlin Entertainments, Legoland and MyTravel. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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May 2017| Aft
FAM TRIPS / INCENTIVES
Carnival hosts first agent awards
Extraordinary Opportunity Event with Seabourn Seabourn is offering savings and benefits on bookings made before June 13, 2017. Offers include suite upgrades, onboard spend and free or reduced air on select voyages. “For travellers who are planning a holiday either later this year or in 2018, our Extraordinary Opportunity Event entices with excellent values and amenities so that they can experience an unforgettable trip on the newest and finest ultra-luxury ships at sea,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn.
Sell three/sail free with Crystal expeditions Carnival Cruise Line has held its inaugural Travel Agents Rock awards at an event in Birmingham. Virgin Holidays Cruises won three of the eight awards on offer, while Thomas Cook, USAirtours and Ocean Holidays also took home gongs. Andrew McKenna and Eshaa Patel both won individual awards for topperforming agents. The company said that it would be holding three other awards evenings throughout the year at different locations.
The company launched its Loyalty Rocks Club, an agent rewards programme, last December. Carnival Cruise Line will be hosting about 50 agents at the Clia Cruise Conference this month where Christine Duffy, the line’s president and former global head of Clia, is due to speak. It will also be offering 25 agents the chance to win a place at Royal Ascot for bookings in May. Each booking made with the Loyalty Rocks Club will earn them £15.
Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises has launched a sell three/sail free offer for travel agents. Agents who sell three suites on select November and December 2017 itineraries and all 2018 Crystal Esprit voyages up until December 23, 2017 will earn a free cruise on any 2018 Esprit departure. “Our travel agent partners are some of our greatest ambassadors and there is no better way to reward their efforts than with the opportunity to enjoy the unmatched luxury they sell to their clients,” said Crystal’s Edie Rodriguez.
Celebrity Cruises offers “Edge-u-cation” training, support and tools in newly-developed agent hub
Silversea offers agents Relais & Châteaux prize
Celebrity Cruises has launched a new hub featuring videos and training modules specifically about Edge, the line’s recently announced class. Claire Stirrup, director of sales, Celebrity Cruises UK and Ireland, said: “Celebrity Edge was both unveiled and went on sale on March 13, 2017. Since then we’ve seen an unprecedented level of bookings from our agent partners.
Silversea is giving agents the chance to win dinner for two at a Relais & Châteaux property as part of its Advocates recognition programme in May. Agents can dine at one of more than 200 restaurants including Glenapp Castle, Scotland and Hartwell House, Oxford. The ten winning agents will be chosen based on sales performance, marketing promotions or events.
“There will be several more exciting reveals about Celebrity Edge coming later this year and next, and agents will be able to find practical selling tips and important information all in one place at the newly developed Celebrity Edge Hub. We continue to expand the training support and tools on offer to agents as part of our mission to provide the best Edge-u-cation.”
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May 2017| Aft
JARGON BUSTER
What causes seasickness and how do you stop it? Seabands, your position on the ship, drugs and ginger can all help, apparently
Motion sickness occurs when there’s a conflict between what your eyes see and what your inner ears, which help with balance, sense. The result is dizziness, nausea and vomiting – enough to ruin a good holiday. Some people experience it on cars, trains and planes, but it’s more common on ships, particularly over choppy waters. We often hear from people who say they’d love to try a cruise holiday, but have enough trouble crossing the English Channel by ferry, never mind spending a week or more at sea. The worst thing is, having never experienced seasickness before, it can spring a surprise – a wintertime voyage across the North Sea, for example, can get to the best of us.
Of course, it’s worth remembering that cruise ships are a lot larger than ferries, and the biggest ships, many of which have stabilisers, will feel less rocky, particularly in good climates (the Caribbean, for example). Mini-cruises are a good way to test sea legs, but remember that UK waters are hardly the calmest – meaning a fly-cruise to somewhere warm may be a better option. Seasickness is a bit like a hangover in more ways than one: there are ways to combat it, but there is no magic solution, and everyone has their own way of dealing with it. Some people swear by acupressure wristbands (also known as seabands) although their effectiveness is debated, while over-the-
counter drugs such as Dramamine and diphenhydramine do actually help, and are sold in cruise-ship shops (it’s also worth remembering there’s a doctor on board). However, they do cause drowsiness, so, for those who want to avoid drugs, there’s always ginger, which has all sorts of healing powers. Your position on the ship is crucial. Picking a cabin on a lower deck near the centre of the ship limits how much you feel the motion of the ship, meaning you’re less likely to feel seasick; however, an ocean-view cabin on a low level means you can keep an eye on the horizon, the result being that your eyes and ears are in tune. For those who only suffer slightly, the top deck, where motion is clear to see, can help. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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May 2017| Aft
DIRECTORY Got a cruise query? Let us assist you. The cruise adviser directory provides you with the vital contact details for all major cruise lines operating in the UK – meaning trade sales support is never more than a phone call away
CRUISE LINES!
Information missing or out of date? Email info@cruise-adviser.com
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May 2017 | Aft
alexis.viols@belmond.com Tom Dumbrell, sales manager — Afloat in France 020 3117 1408 tom.dumbrell@belmond.com
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A-Rosa Lucia Rowe, head of sales UK and Ireland 078 4202 6013 l.rowe@a-rosa.de Amadeus River Cruises Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 080 0035 6411 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk AmaWaterways Jamie Loizou, sales, marketing and digital director 033 3305 3902 jamieloizou@amawaterways.com American Cruise Lines Susan Shultz, director of sales +1 203 453 6800 susan@americancruiselines.com American Queen Steamboat Company Katrina Weston, general manager 01223 568 904 k.weston@aqgsa.com APT Touring Kate Ashman, sales and commercial specialist 01494 736 147 agentclub@aptouring.co.uk Atlas/Kompas Predrag Krivokapic, president +1 954 258 8531 / +385 9 1975 1735 sales@atlas-croatia.com Aurora Expeditions Talia Schwartzman, sales executive +61 2 9252 1033 agents@auroraexpeditions.co.uk Avalon Waterways James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@avaloncruises.co.uk Azamara Club Cruises Lori Scanella, business support executive 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com
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Carnival Cruise Line Luke Smith, senior partnership manager 020 7378 4660 carnivalsalesuk@carnival.com Celebrity Cruises Isabelle Charlton / Victoria Shipp 01932 834 379 (option 2) salessupport@rccl.com Celestyal Cruises Andreas Genthe, country manager sales +30 216 400 9633 a.genthe@celestyalcruises.com Coral Expeditions Jan Jepsen, UK and Europe representative 07702 714 150 jan@intouchrep.com Cosmos Tours & Cruises James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@cosmostours.co.uk CroisiEurope Gabrielle Alam, head of sales and marketing UK 020 8328 1281 resuk@croisieurope.com Cruise & Maritime Voyages Lisa Jacobs, head of trade sales 0844 414 6140 lisa.jacobs@cruiseandmaritime.com Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk Cruising Excursions Simonne Fairbanks, chief operating officer 0800 091 8274 traveltrade@cruisingexcursions.com Cunard Line Natasha Richardson, director of sales operations 023 8065 7259 natasha.richardson@carnivalukgroup.com
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Belmond Alexis Viols, director of sales – Road to Mandalay and Belmond Orcaella +66 2 267 4881 2 Ext 19
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Hebridean Island Cruises Lisa White, reservations manager 01756 704 704 lisa.white@hebridean.co.uk Heritage Line Andreas Schroetter, director of sales and marketing +84 120 395 2242 dosm@heritage-line.com Holland America Line James Scott, business development representative 0844 338 8600 james.scott@hollandamerica.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 0844 338 8600 lucy.harris@hollandamerica.co.uk Hurtigruten Anthony Daniels, head of sales 020 8846 2666 anthony.daniels@hurtigruten.com
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Disney Cruise Line Juliet Holden, account executive 080 0171 2317 E
Emerald Waterways Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk eWaterways Cruises Emma Wild, head of sales 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.co.uk F
Far Horizon Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 0800 035 3189 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Becky Smith, trade support manager 01473 746 164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk Fred Olsen River Cruises Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 0800 021 3172 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk French America Line Kevin Griffin, director 020 7723 2450 kcgriffin@frenchamericaline.com
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Intrepid Travel Andrew Turner, senior business development manager 080 8274 5719 ukbdm@intrepidtravel.com K
Katerina Line Dea Baretincic, sales manager +385 51 603 409 dea@katarina-line.hr L
Lindblad Expeditions Jacinta McEvoy vice president global sales +1 212 261 9000 jacintam@expeditions.com
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G Adventures Jerrine Barnett, new business development manager 07432 429 836 / 020 7243 9870 ext. 9948 jbarnett@gadventures.com
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The Majestic Line Marie McGhee, sales manager 01369 707951 info@themajesticline.co.uk MSC Cruises Victoria Taylor, sales operations manager 020 7092 8182 ukinsidesales@msccruises.co.uk
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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Mike Flanagan, sales representative UK and Ireland 07921 223 176 mike.flanagan@hl-cruises.com
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Poseidon Alexandra Prokopyeva, sales and marketing 0870 068 9142 sales@poseidonexpeditions.com Princess Cruises Victoria Snelgar, sales operations manager 023 8065 6613 victoria.snelgar@princesscruises.co.uk Pullmantur Simon Chambers, operations manager 0800 021 3180 simon.chambers@fredholidays.co.uk
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Noble Caledonia Agency sales 020 7752 0000 agencysales@noble-caledonia.co.uk Norwegian Cruise Line Jeremy McKenna, head of sales UK and Ireland 07408 805 216 jmckenna@ncl.com Karen Kundi, partnership relations manager 023 8124 5242 kkundi@ncl.com O
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Oceania Cruises Priti Mehta, head of sales UK and Ireland 023 8024 8604 pmehta@oceaniacruises.com One Ocean Expeditions Debra Taylor, new business development 07956 852 197 debra@toucanmoon.com
Quark Expeditions Pushparaj Shetty, senior distribution manager +1 416 645 8248 push.shetty@quarkexpeditions.com R
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Caroline Moody, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com Anna Salter, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com Royal Caribbean International Trade support team 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com Riviera Travel Darren Mussell, agency sales assistant manager 01283 744 307 agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk
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P&O Cruises Natasha Richardson, director of sales operations 023 8065 7259 natasha.richardson@carnivalukgroup.com Pandaw Marco Rosa, vice president sales and marketing 07973 876 967 marco@pandaw.com Paul Gaugin Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk Pearl Seas Cruises Susan Shultz, director of sales +1 203 458 5280 susan.shultz@pearlseascruises.com Ponant Stephen Winter, international sales director +33 6 4803 7931 swinter@ponant.com
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Saga Travel Sukina Fagg, national account manager 080 0074 8021 sukina.fagg@saga.co.uk Scenic Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk
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Seabourn James Scott, business development representative 084 4338 8600 james.scott@seabourn.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 084 4338 8600 lucy.harris@seabourn.co.uk SeaCloud Anja Ringel, vice president, international markting and sales +49 40 3095 9217 aringel@seacloud.com SeaDream Yacht Club Mark Schmitt, sales director 07904 068 407 mschmitt@seadream.com Shearings Michael Bowers, national sales manager 01942 823 449 sales.support@shearings.com Silversea Sales support 020 7340 0700 salesuk@silversea.com Star Clippers Danielle Dudley, UK sales manager 077 6585 2116 danielle@starclippers.co.uk
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Uniworld Boutique River Cruises David Chidley, national sales manager 07408 855 544 dave.chidley@uniworld.com V
Variety Cruises Chris Lorenzo, managing director, Seafarer Cruises 020 8324 3114 info@seafarerholidays.co.uk Victoria Cruises Tom Antonucci, sales manager +1 212 818 1680 tom@victoriacruises.co.uk Viking Cruises Andrew Schweitzer, regional sales manager (south) 07825 986 996 andrew.schweitzer@vikingcruises.com Jenny Wade, regional sales manager (north) 07966 995 012 jenny.wade@vikingcruises.com Volga Dream Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 0800 021 3186 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk Voyages to Antiquity Michelle Daniels, head of groups and partnerships 01865 302 2565 m.daniels@voyagestoantiquity.com
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Tauck Kathryn Coles, UK and Ireland sales manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk Thomson Cruises Andrew Isherwood Commercial support team 020 3451 2762 commercial.support@thomson.co.uk Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 012 9345 0726; 078 3465 2135 edwina.coppock@titantravel.co.uk
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Wendy Wu Tours Adam White, trade support and marketing executive 020 7939 9560 adam.white@wendywutours.co.uk Windstar Cruises Sales team (The Cruise Line) 0800 852 7248 windstarUK@cruiseline.co.uk
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May 2017 | Aft THINGS TO DO
GAMESROOM
Each month we will bring you a selection of things to do on your lunch break or journey to the office
CROSSWORD See the next cruise adviser in June for the answer
APRIL SOLUTION
ACROSS
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6. Machine or barista, maybe (6-5)
1. Side dish (6,5)
7. Drink holders (4) 8. Site of the taff rail (5) 10. Practised at Epsom (5-6) 12. Sea room? (5) 13. Plucked stringed instrument (4) 15. Unconditional (11)
SUDOKU
See the next cruise adviser in June for the answers
2. Aerial enigmas (1,1,2) 3. Go hard (3) 4. Sea east of Sweden (6)
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QUIZ
WIN! Titan Travel fam trip on Serenade 1
See bottom of page for answers
1. The city of Bergen is found in which Scandinavian country? 2. Arnold Donald is the CEO of which cruise company? 3. Which country produces the most coffee? 4. Singer Serge Gainsbourg was born in which French city? 5. Y Wladfa is a Welsh settlement in which country? 6. St Pauli is a football team in which German city? 7. What is the name of Silversea’s new flagship? 8. Potsdamer Platz is a square in which European capital city? 9. What is a DSLR? 10. What two alcohol ingredients form the basic of a martini? 11. Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is from which country? 12. Motor City refers to where? 13. Who wrote The Art of the Deal? 14. Which family cruise line has announced plans to go all-inclusive? 15. The island of Gozo is part of what country?
You can still win a complimentary place on a Titan Travel fam trip on board Serenade 1 in October, 2017 – including ights, oversea transfers, the cruise, all food along with beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. To enter, answer the following question and send your answer to info@cruise-adviser.com with the subject line as ‘May competition’. How many guests can Titan’s Serenade 1 carry?
Terms and conditions apply, see cruise-adviser. com/terms-conditions-titan
QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Norway 2. Carnival Corporation 3. Brazil 4. Paris 5. Argentina 6. Hamburg 7. Silver Muse 8. Berlin 9 A digital camera 10. Gin and vermouth 11. Sweden 12. Detroit 13. Donald Trump 14. Norwegian Cruise Line 15. Malta
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THREE CRUISES FOR FOODIES 13 nights to Morocco
RECIPE
In the galley The best culinary delights at sea. This month: Crystal’s delicious black cod with miso Crystal Cruises – Crystal Symphony Lisbon (round-trip), September 6, 2017 From £4,252pp On board Crystal Symphony during this Mediterranean cruise, two Michelin-starred chef Hans Neuner will lead guests through demos of his most famous dishes, and offer hands-on instruction in the galley.
10 days around the Med
Oceania Cruises – Riviera Barcelona-Lisbon, June 6, 2018 From £2,229pp
Marinate this dish overnight. The sauce also works well with beef and salmon. Serves four. Ingredients Nobu-style saikyo-miso sauce: 1/2 cup sake 3/4 cup mirin 2 cups white miso paste 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar Fish: 4 black cod fillets, about 225g each Method Bring sake and mirin to the boil in a medium saucepan over a high heat. Boil for 20 seconds to evaporate the alcohol. Reduce to a low heat and add the miso paste, mixing with a wooden spoon. When the miso has dissolved completely, increase to a high heat and add the sugar, stirring
constantly to ensure the bottom of pan doesn’t burn. Remove from the heat once the sugar is fully dissolved. Cool to room temperature. Set aside half a cup of sauce for serving the next day, use the rest as marinade. Carefully pat the fish dry with paper towels. Cover with saikyo-miso sauce, place in a glass dish or bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. Preheat the broiler to high. Lightly wipe off excess miso on the fillets, but do not rinse it off. Discard the marinade. Place the fish in a broiler pan and broil until the surface turns brown – for about two minutes. Reduce the heat. Move the fish to the centre of the oven and bake for ten to 15 minutes. Plate up the fillets, add a few drops of the reserved sauce to each plate and enjoy.
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This 10-day Western Europe Wonders cruise calls at classics such as Barcelona, Saint-Tropez, Livorno, Italy (for Florence, Pisa and Tuscany) and Rome. The ship, Riviera, is beautiful and the food is even better.
10 days in France
Tauck – MS Emerald Paris-Lyon, October 27, 2017 From £3,895pp This Taste of France departure features a seven-night Rhône river cruise and begins in Paris with a reception and dinner at Fouquet’s and a pastry class designed especially for Tauck guests at École Lenôtre.
May 2017 | Aft
ON THE ROAD
Wayne Beard, 42, Saga Cruises We speak to the people who make your job easier. This month: Saga’s cruise sales executive What does your job entail on a day-to-day basis? Managing a portfolio of top accounts, updating and changing the perceptions of agents with training sessions and store visits. Hosting our trade partners on board our fam trips and showcasing both ships to agents with our ship visit programme. Attending agents’ cruise and holiday shows and presenting to consumers at morning coffees, afternoon teas and evening dinners.
Meeting the team in the office or conducting training and helping out with events and going to conferences. What’s the worst? Having a car as an office. I am an organised person, however keeping control of my contents in the car is a huge task. Oh, and the traffic on the M62 and M6 currently is a nightmare.
How long have you worked in travel? You’re really making me think today… 26 years!
Favourite place to visit? For work or pleasure? For work I always love the Mediterranean and Barcelona is a favourite port. When it comes to pleasure, I love America: Vegas or Orlando are my favourites.
What’s the best thing about being on the road? Every day is so different. From visiting a new town and agent friends, to being on board one of our ships.
What do you listen to in the car? It depends on my mood. Luckily, I have DAB in my car, my two favourite stations are Heart 80s and Cheesy FM… yes, I did say Cheesy FM.
One thing you couldn’t live without on the road? Water and nibbles, especially when I’m stuck on the motorway. What’s your favourite thing about working for Saga? Two things. Firstly, I absolutely love the brand and what we offer our customers. Secondly, the people I work with. They are an amazing bunch of colleagues. Some of them are crazy, but all are passionate in assisting each other. What is the biggest myth about about Saga? That you have to be over 90 years old to travel with us! We have a fantastic value for money offering for the over-50s market, however the second person travelling can be 40 plus. I just have to find myself a 50year-old friend to go with… and I’ve just realised I have many who could join me! If agents want to find out more, what should they do? We have a dedicated trade website at saga.co.uk/agents. Or, alternatively, their regional trade executive would be delighted to arrange a training session, and put the myths to rest.
CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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May 2017 | Aft
FINAL WORD
River cruise is made for young people Whether you want relaxation or adventure, there are few better ways to explore a region than by river. That’s why it’s perfect for millennials, writes Sam Ballard Picture this: a multiple city break – with as many as four capital cities – in one holiday. You unpack only once and all of your meals, and often a whole lot more, are included in the price. Accommodation will be provided in city-centre locations and there will be free guided tours available for those who want to take them. If you’re quick you will even get to rent a bicycle, free of charge of course. Staff are renowned for their excellent service and wines are sourced from the region, which is world famous. Sound like something you could go for? Any one of the components above would make for a brilliant holiday. Put them all together and the end result – a river cruise – is a fantastic proposition. So why is it that the sector isn’t quite hitting the mark when it comes to younger customers? The biggest argument that we hear from river lines and agents themselves
is that it is a more sedate experience. A river cruise moves at a slower pace than ocean cruises and when it comes to land-based holidays? Forget it. This is a myth that must be debunked. For starters, when did it become a negative for a holiday to move at a slower pace? Our jobs take over so much of our lives that when it comes to a holiday, many people want to do as little as possible. Secondly, anyone who has actually been on a river cruise will know that they can be as adventurepacked or as relaxing as you want them to be. You can usually choose from a list of guided tours or excursions, go out on your own or just sit and sunbathe on deck. The point is there is a huge amount of choice. There is clearly a growing effort on behalf of river lines themselves to try and appeal to a younger market. Avalon launched its Active
Discovery programme – which was designed around keeping health regimes up while on holiday – while Uniworld went one step further and launched a new brand, U by Uniworld, aimed squarely at millennials. Only time will tell if these ventures are successful or not. However, one thing is for sure – as an industry we have to start being brave enough up to open up river cruising to a younger market. A group of keen cyclists would love the opportunity to go on a holiday through the south of France’s wine country. What could be more romantic than Vienna and Budapest for couples who want a cultural honeymoon? Or, for something more adventurous, there’s the rivers of Asia or America. Break a river cruise down into its components and rebuild it for a younger audience. It won’t be hard to convince them that it’s the perfect holiday.
COMING NEXT TIME Uniworld in France
Mini-cruise
InFocus: Royal Caribbean
Jeannine Williamson joins the exquisite Joie de Vivre on the Seine in Paris for next month’s cruise adviser cover feature
Gilly Pickup exlores the joys of ex-UK mini sailings — and why their dip-yourtoe in nature makes them perfect for the new-to-cruise customer
Another record-breaking ship on the way in the form of Symphony of the Seas — we take a look at the alwaysinnovative Royal Caribbean CRUISE-ADVISER.COM
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